THE PYTHIAN KNIGHTHOOD: ITS HISTORY AND LITERATURE
Book Details + Condition: Pettibone Manufacturing Company: Cincinnati (1890). Second Edition, Revised and Enlarged. Octavo, 671 pages, will illustrations throughout. Publisher's gilt lettered brown cloth-covered boards. More title: Being an Account of the Origin and Growth of the Order of Knights of Pythias, with a Statement of the Principles on Which it is Founded; Including an Essay on Secret Societies, Syracuse and Dionysius, the Entire Text of the Drama of "Damon and Pythias," a Review of the Endowment and Uniform Ranks, and Choice Selections from many Sources Concerning the Objects, Aims and Tenets of the Order. By James R. Carnahan, M.A. Please see below for more information about the Knights of Pythias. Interior hinge cracked but binding remains strong and tight; bumped and rubbed corners and edges; light shelf wear to boards; chipping and small tear to front decorated endpaper; text is clean and unmarked save normal age-toning to pages.
The Knights of Pythias is a fraternal organization and secret society founded in Washington, D.C., on 19 February 1864. The Knights of Pythias is the first fraternal organization to receive a charter under an act of the United States Congress. It was founded by Justus H. Rathbone, who had been inspired by a play by the Irish poet John Banim about the legend of Damon and Pythias. This legend illustrates the ideals of loyalty, honor, and friendship that are the center of the order. The order has over 2,000 lodges in the United States and around the world, with a total membership of over 50,000 in 2003. The order is headquartered in Stoughton, Massachusetts. Some lodges meet in structures referred to as Pythian Castles. [Wikipedia]
